Canadian progressive rock icons Triumph are set to return to the stage today, June 6, after a 17-year absence. The band will perform as part of the Rogers Festival at the Final, a series of events celebrating the NHL‘s Stanley Cup Finals in Edmonton, Alberta, where the Oilers are facing off against the Florida Panthers.
Terrie Tweddle, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Rogers, expressed excitement about the reunion: “We’re thrilled to bring Triumph to the Rogers Festival At The Final, building on the success of our ad campaign that introduced a whole new generation of music fans to this iconic band.”
While fans are eager for the return of Gil Moore, Rik Emmett, and Mike Levine, expectations should be tempered: Triumph is scheduled to play a concise three-song set. Among the selected tracks is their 1979 hit “Lay It On The Line,” which peaked at No. 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks a significant moment for the trio, whose last public performance was in 2008 at the Sweden Rock Festival and Rocklahoma. Although they briefly reunited in November 2019 at Metalworks Studio in Mississauga for an invite-only event where they played “When The Lights Go Down,” “Lay It On The Line,” and “Magic Power,” that performance was recorded solely for their 2021 documentary, “Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine,” produced by Banger Films and directed by Sam Dunn and Marc Ricciardelli. That 2019 studio appearance was their first as a pure three-piece power trio in 31 years.
Adding to the excitement surrounding their live return, Triumph is also being honored today with the release of a new tribute album titled Magic Power: All-Star Tribute to Triumph. Released by Round Hill Records, the album celebrates the band’s five decades in rock history. It features covers of their tracks by an impressive lineup of artists, including Dorothy, Sebastian Bach, Nancy Wilson, Joey Belladonna, Slash, and Jeff Keith.
Formed in Toronto in 1975 by Emmett, Levine, and Moore, Triumph rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s. They became known for their blend of hard rock anthems, spectacular live performances, and Emmett’s virtuoso guitar work coupled with the group’s soaring vocals. The band has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, earning 18 gold and nine platinum certifications in Canada and the United States, with classic rock staples such as “Lay It On The Line,” “Magic Power,” and “Fight The Good Fight” helping to define arena rock for a generation.
Emmett famously departed Triumph in 1988 due to musical and business disagreements, subsequently pursuing a solo career. Triumph continued with future Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X for one more album, 1992’s Edge Of Excess, before disbanding the following year. Emmett was personally and professionally estranged from Levine and Moore for 18 years before their relationship was mended. Their 2008 reunion at the Sweden Rock Festival and Rocklahoma was a significant event, with a DVD of the Sweden performance released four years later.
